LIFE WITH MG

5 MG-Friendly Smoothies

JULY 2020 | 4 MIN READ

You don’t have to have MG to love these delicious, nutritious recipes.

Smoothies are great in the summer for beating the heat—or anytime for quick, easy nourishment. In summer, keeping cool is especially important, as heat can increase feelings of weakness in people living with MG.1-3 A nice, cold, easy-to-swallow drink could help. And taking a break from cooking never hurts, in the summertime or anytime.

We asked nutritionist Megan Stanley, MS, RD, to develop smoothie recipes for people living with MG. These smoothies aren’t just easy to make, but easy to drink as well. They provide quick nutrition for tired bodies while bringing anti-inflammatory foods into your diet. They all take very little prep work, can be prepared in a dishwasher-safe blender or smoothie maker and are easy to swallow if thoroughly blended. Some ingredients can be purchased pre-chopped and frozen for long-term storage.

Almond Butter & Jelly (AB&J) Almond Butter & Jelly (AB&J)

Ingredients:

  • ½ cup frozen strawberries
  • 2 tablespoons almond butter
  • 1 medium banana
  • ½ cup milk of choice
  • 1 cup ice (less, if using frozen bananas)
PRINT RECIPE

Almond Butter & Jelly (AB&J)

Yields: 1 large serving or 2 small servings

Total Time: 5 MINS Prep Time: 2 MINS

The AB&J froths over with antioxidant-rich berries and healthy fats, both of which help reduce inflammation, while serving up a big taste of childhood nostalgia.4,5

Pro tip: Freezing bananas for smoothies helps make the consistency creamier.

Directions:

Place all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. If smoothies are too thick to blend, add more liquid until desired texture is reached.

PRINT RECIPE

Directions:

Place all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. If smoothies are too thick to blend, add more liquid until desired texture is reached.

Green Smoothie Green Smoothie

Ingredients:

  • ½ cup spinach (fresh or frozen)
  • ½ medium avocado (can do fresh or frozen avocado halves when ripe)
  • 1 medium banana
  • ½ cup milk of choice
  • 1 to 2 teaspoons honey for sweetness, if needed
  • Ice, if needed
PRINT RECIPE

Green Smoothie

Yields: 1 large serving or 2 small servings

Total Time: 5 MINS Prep Time: 2 MINS

The Green Smoothie is packed with inflammation-fighting ingredients while adding some sweetness and greens to your snack.6

Pro tip: Freezing bananas for smoothies helps make the consistency creamier.

Directions:

Place all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. If smoothies are too thick to blend, add more liquid until desired texture is reached.

PRINT RECIPE

Directions:

Place all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. If smoothies are too thick to blend, add more liquid until desired texture is reached.

Tropical Turmeric Smoothie Tropical Turmeric Smoothie

Ingredients:

  • ½ cup frozen mango
  • ½ cup frozen pineapple
  • 1 medium banana
  • ¼ teaspoon turmeric
  • ½ cup milk of choice
PRINT RECIPE

Tropical Turmeric Smoothie

Yields: 1 large serving or 2 small servings

Total Time: 5 MINS Prep Time: 2 MINS

Turmeric is known to help fight inflammation.7 Throw in some tropical ingredients and you have a tasty treat.

Pro tip: Freezing bananas for smoothies helps make the consistency creamier.

Directions:

Place all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. If smoothies are too thick to blend, add more liquid until desired texture is reached.

PRINT RECIPE

Directions:

Place all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. If smoothies are too thick to blend, add more liquid until desired texture is reached.

Chocolate Avocado Popsicle Smoothie Chocolate Avocado Popsicle Smoothie

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon dark cocoa powder
  • ½ avocado (can do fresh or frozen avocado halves when ripe)
  • 1 cup milk of choice
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 1 cup ice
PRINT RECIPE

Chocolate Avocado Popsicle Smoothie

Yields: 1 large serving or 2 small servings

Total Time: 5 MINS Prep Time: 2 MINS

This smoothie drinks like an indulgent treat because it’s made with antioxidant-rich cocoa and tastes like fudge.8

Directions:

Place all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. If smoothies are too thick to blend, add more liquid until desired texture is reached.

PRINT RECIPE

Directions:

Place all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. If smoothies are too thick to blend, add more liquid until desired texture is reached.

Cherry Sweet-Tart Smoothie Cherry Sweet-Tart Smoothie

Ingredients:

  • 8 ounces tart cherry juice
  • 1 cup frozen mixed berries
  • 6 ounces yogurt of choice
  • Ice, if needed
PRINT RECIPE

Cherry Sweet-Tart Smoothie

Yields: 1 large serving or 2 small servings

Total Time: 5 MINS Prep Time: 2 MINS

Tart cherries are often used to help decrease inflammation, due to their high-antioxidant capacity.9 They can also taste, well…tart. But when you mix them with sweet berries, they become a refreshing sweet treat.

Directions:

Place all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. If smoothies are too thick to blend, add more liquid until desired texture is reached.

PRINT RECIPE

Directions:

Place all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. If smoothies are too thick to blend, add more liquid until desired texture is reached.

References

  1. Rutkove SB, et al. Muscle Nerve. 1998;21:1414-1418.
  2. Rutkove SB. Muscle Nerve. 2001;24:867-882.
  3. Borenstein S, et al. Lancet. 1974;2(7872):63-66.
  4. Joseph SV, et al. J Agric Food Chem. 2014;62(18):3886-3903.
  5. Barreca D, et al. Nutrients. 2020;12(3):672.
  6. Lu Q, et al. J Agric Food Chem. 2009;57(21):10408-10413.
  7. Gupta SC, et al. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol. 2012;39(3):283-299.
  8. Becker K, et al. Front Pharmacol. 2013;4:154.
  9. Ferretti G, et al. Molecules. 2010;15(10):6993-7005.

Sign up for MG United!

Hungry for more? Sign up today and you’ll never miss another recipe.

LIFE WITH MG

14 Ways to Outsmart Summer

4 MIN READ

REAL STORIES

Kathy Lemenu and Her Wife Diane on MG, Marriage and Communication*

6 MIN READ

DISEASE & TREATMENT

Been Living with MG for Some Time?

5 MIN READ

Want more great content? Follow MG United on social media.

MG United Facebook MG United Instagram